Question: I have had tonsillitis more commonly since exposure to mold 2 years ago and have been working with a specialist for all my mold related symptoms but since a sore throat with tonsillitis in mid-May 2016, my tonsils have been swollen and one in particular is lumpy and irregular. Although they don't hurt anymore (infection is gone - likely viral) and have gone down a little bit, they are still huge (about ping pong size). I have been avoiding allergies and reducing inflammation using diet/lifestyle/supplements but they won'd get any smaller. They don't give me any noticeable symptoms but I don't want them this big.

I want to know more about possible causes before continuing with a tonsillectomy. I know other blood markers like liver enzymes (AST and ALT) have been unexplainably high and no chronic or latent virus infections have been found.

Thank you. I have not heard of hypertrophy of the tonsils yet but after some reading it seems to fit my signs/symptoms much better than anything else: reoccurring tonsillitis, throat infections, and oral+respiratory allergen exposure, chronic enlargement, no pain or known infection (currently).

My ENT and ND suggested I get my tonsils removed but I need more information before I go through with my scheduled tonsillectomy this December.

Is it easier for the throat to get infections (like strep, thrush, etc.) with tonsillar hypertrophy than it is with regular/common sized tonsils?

If the cause of tonsillar hypertrophy was recurrent episodes of tonsillitis, can the tonsils ever reduce or do the tonsils ever shrink?

If allergen exposure is the cause - or part of the cause - and the allergens are strictly avoided (my major ones are foods and household molds) can the tonsils shrink?

I may try a sleep apnea take home test to see if these tonsils affect my sleep/breathing. Do you have any clinical opinions about this? How else can I tell if there is any respiratory obstruction?

It seems like studies show no noticeable impact on immune functions after tonsillectomy but I worry about my lymph functions and immune activity particularly since I lost my spleen in a traffic accident 3.5 years ago. Theoretically, could there be any immune dysfunctions - however minor - post tonsillectomy in a person without a spleen? (This will not affect my decision on tonsillectomy but how I take care of my body afterwards)

Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it.
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